Stretchable band-type transducer particularly suited for respiration monitoring apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved, low-cost stretchable band incorporating a conductor for disposition about the human torso or other three dimensional object, and particularly intended for use with respiration monitoring apparatus, is disclosed. A method for making the band, which method is suitable to mass production techniques, is also disclosed. Also presented is an improved enclosure housing circuitry releasably connected to the conductor in the band when the band is incorporated in respiration monitoring apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention pertains to apparatus for monitoring respiration and moreparticularly to apparatus of this type which employ conductors disposedabout the torso of a subject for expansion and contraction therewith asthe subject breathes.

2. Prior Art

Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,872 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR MONITORING RESPIRATION, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference, discloses a particular respiration monitoringapparatus. The apparatus disclosed in the patent employs two electricalconductors, e.g. wires, one disposed in encircling relation about thechest and the other disposed in encircling relation about the abdomen.Each conductor comprises the inductance element of an LC oscillatorcircuit of fixed capacitance. Consequently, the frequency of eachoscillator varies solely in response to changes in the inductance of itsrespective conductor which, in turn, varies in response to changes inthe volume encircled by the conductor. Therefore, as the subjectbreathes, the frequency changes at the outputs of the oscillatorscontinuously indicate the extent of the expansion and contraction of thesubject's chest and abdomen. As more fully explained in said U.S. Pat.No. 4,308,872, by properly processing these signals, significantrespiration data may be obtained.

For the aforementioned apparatus to function properly, it is importantthat the conductors fit snugly about the subject's torso such that theexpansions and contractions of the conductors closely follow theexpansions and contractions of the chest and abdomen. Further, since itis impractical to render the conductors expandable, some other mechanismfor accommodating expansion and contraction of the conductors must beemployed.

In accordance with a structure now in use by applicants, each conductoris supported on a strip of woven fabric securable about the subject'storso. The fabric strip or band is stitched under tension by a pluralityof longitudinally extending elastic stitches in a process known asshirring. Consequently, when the tension is released, the fabric becomesbunched or puckered along its entire length. Thereafter, an insulatedwire conductor is stitched to one side of the fabric in a zigzag or sawtooth pattern. In this construction, stretching of the fabric in alongitudinal direction is accommodated by the puckers or folds withcorresponding extension of the wire being accommodated by a widening andflattening of the saw tooth pattern. Consequently, by selecting thelength of the band in its unstretched condition to be less than thecircumference of the torso portion to be encircled, the band may bestretched about the torso portion for a snug fit. In the band structurenow being described, the ends of the band are secured together as by ahook and loop type fastener, such as Velcro™, complementary portions ofwhich are secured by stitching to either end of the band.

To accommodate connection of the wire to the balance of the oscillatorcircuit, the wire is secured to the fabric such that both ends of thewire terminate at the same longitudinal edge of the band at either endthereof, whereby when the band is secured about the torso, the ends ofthe wire are next to each other. The ends of the wire are stripped andsoldered to connecting pins which are then secured in shrink tubing suchthat the tips of the connecting pins are exposed. The shrink tubing isstapled to the ends of the band.

The balance of the oscillator circuit is secured in a housing which, inuse, may be taped to the band for the sake of convenience. A cableextending from the housing has female connectors which releasably matewith the connecting pins on the wire for completing the oscillatorcircuit. A second cable extends from the housing for inputting thevariable output of the oscillator to additional processing circuitry asmore fully described in said U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,872.

While the foregoing construction serves its intended function, itsuffers from several drawbacks. One drawback is that the construction ofthe band is not suitable for mass production thereby addingsignificantly to the cost of each band. For example, the requiredmultiple stitching operations are time consuming as is the soldering ofthe pins to the ends of the wire. A further drawback resides in thepress fit connectors which releasably join the wire conductor to thecable extending from the oscillator housing. These connectors may becomeloosened due, for example, to undesirable movements of the subject, asis common in neonatal applications. A loose connector can create noisesufficient to significantly impair the quality of the transmittedsignal. Even worse, the connectors may disconnect altogether. Then too,because of the low noise requirement, low noise, high cost connectorsmust be employed which further add to the overall cost of the band.

Another drawback, related to the first, is that owing to the high costof the bands, it is impractical to discard them after a single use. Yetin the medical field, where sanitary considerations are paramount forsound medical reasons as well as psychological ones, it is preferred torender disposable any apparatus that comes into contact with thepatient, such as occurs with the band.

Yet a further drawback is that due to the particular structure of thebands, they are not suited to cleaning by machine, as there is a risk ofdamaging the pins or severing the stitching securing the wire in place.Then too, the hook and loop type fastener which secures the ends of theband in encircling relation about the torso is also not suited tomachine washing as it can become entangled in the fabric.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a bandwhich overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a band whichcan be constructed at a sufficiently minimal cost that the band can bediscarded after a single use.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a band which canbe mass produced.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a bandin combination with an improved housing for the oscillator circuitwherein the wire is joined to the circuitry within the housing in amanner that significantly reduces, if not eliminates, the possibility ofthe wire becoming loose or disconnected.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a band which does notrequire high cost connectors for joining the wire to the circuitrywithin the housing.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a method of making aband which meets the stated objectives.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To meet the foregoing objects, the band of the present invention, in abroad sense, comprises a first piece of material, such as nonwovenfabric; a second piece of material, such as tissue paper; means forsecuring one surface of the second piece of material to one piece of thefirst piece of material; a piece of elastic material; means foradhesively securing the elastic material between the first and secondpieces of material along a substantial portion of the length thereofwith the elastic material in a stretched condition when the first andsecond pieces of material are in a flat condition, the first and secondpieces of material defining crosswise puckers when the elastic materialis in an unstretched condition for accommodating stretching of the bandwhen the elastic material is stretched; a conductor; and means foradhesively securing the conductor between the first and second pieces ofmaterial with the conductor extending substantially the length of theband and enclosing a larger circumference upon stretching of the band.

The band of the invention is quite inexpensive as compared with priorart bands, thus making it feasible to dispose of the band after a singleuse. The present invention also comprises a method of making the bandwhich further reduces the cost of the band, as the method in accordancewith the present invention is suited to mass production techniques. In abroad sense, the method for making the band comprises providing a firstpiece of material in a flat condition, providing a second piece ofmaterial in a flat condition, stretching a piece of elastic material,securing the piece of elastic material in its stretched condition to onesurface of one of the pieces of material, securing an electricalconductor to one surface of one of the pieces of material, securing thesecond piece of material in overlying relation with the first piece ofmaterial with the elastic material and the conductor sandwiched betweenthe two pieces of material, and then releasing the elastic material fromits stretched condition.

In a less preferred band and method of making same in accordance withthe invention, one of the two pieces of material, preferably the outerpiece, is not used.

The invention also comprises an enclosure specially designed for housingthe components of the oscillator circuit other than the conductorincorporated in the band. The enclosure is particularly advantageousinsofar as it both simplies and enhances the securement of the endportions of the conductor to the circuitry within the enclosure, therebyavoiding the need for expensive connectors while at the same timeminimizing the possibility of noise caused by loosened connectors. In abroad sense, the enclosure in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a housing having a main body defining a chamber and first andsecond cap members pivotally secured to the main body for movementbetween an open position wherein the cap members are pivoted away fromthe main body and a closed position wherein the cap members contact themain body, the portion of the main body confronting the cap members intheir closed positions defining first and second recesses and first andsecond apertures for communicating the recesses with the chamber; meanssecured to the housing for supporting in the chamber the components ofthe oscillator circuit other than the conductor; and first and secondelectrical contacts secured to the housing in the chamber and connectedto the components of the oscillator circuit therein, one end of eachcontact having a point extending through one of the apertures and intothe recess communicating therewith, whereby when the end portions of theconductor are disposed in the recesses and the cap members are pivotedto their closed positions for retaining the end portions in therecesses, the points pierce the end portions of the conductor forestablishing electrical communication between the conductor and theother components of the oscillator circuit.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description and theannexed drawings of the presently preferred embodiment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a first step in the manufacture of a bandin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second step in themanufacture of a band in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another view similar to FIG. 1 showing a third step in themanufacture of a band in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is yet another view similar to FIG. 1 showing a fourth step inthe manufacture of a band in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is still a further view similar to FIG. 1 showing a fullymanufactured band;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines 6--6 in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the band of FIG. 5 secured about ahuman torso, and also showing an enclosure in accordance with thepresent invention releasably secured to the band;

FIG. 8 is a view taken substantially along the lines 8--8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view taken substantially along the lines 9--9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view taken substantially along the lines 10--10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view taken substantially along the lines 11--11 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a view taken substantially along the lines 12--12 in FIG. 9;and

FIG. 13 is an exploded, perspective view of the enclosure in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The disposable band in accordance with the present invention isgenerally designated in FIGS. 5-7 by the reference numeral 10. Withreference initially to FIGS. 1-4, construction of the disposable band 10will now be described.

In FIG. 1, a rectangular piece of non-woven fabric 12 is retained in aflat, smooth condition as by a vacuum table or other suitable device.While it is presently contemplated that any suitable non-woven fabricmay be employed, presently a synthetic non-woven fabric of a typecommonly used in disposable diapers, caps, surgical gowns, etc. ispreferred. The dimensions of the piece of non-woven fabric 12 will, ofcourse, vary depending on the size of the torso to be encircled by theband, and it is contemplated that bands will be made in a variety ofsizes. Typically, the length of the fabric 12 will be from abouteighteen inches to about sixty-four inches, and its width will be aboutfour inches.

Referring now to FIG. 2, with the strip of non-woven fabric 12 retainedin a flat, smooth condition, a plurality of longitudinally extendinglines of glue 16, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, are applied tothe exposed surface 18 of the fabric 12. While the number of lines ofglue may vary, it is presently contemplated that six lines of glue willbe applied. The lines of glue may be applied manually or, morepreferably, by a plurality of glue heads (not shown) simultaneouslypassing over the surface 18.

Still referring to FIG. 2, after the lines of glue 16 have been appliedto the surface 18, a strip of elastic material 20, retained undertension by a jig diagramatically represented at 14, is laid over eachline of glue 16. While any suitable elastic material may be employed,natural latex is presently preferred. While the elastic strips 20 may bestretched to any suitable elongation by the jig 14, it is presentlycontemplated that they will be stretched to about two to three timestheir natural length. For purposes of illustration the elastic strips 20are shown in FIG. 2 as extending only over the right half of the fabric12, and it should be understood that in fact the elastic strips extendover the entire length of the glue lines 16, i.e. from one end of thenon-woven fabric 12 to the other. For reasons that will be apparenthereinafter, the lines of glue 16 are sufficiently thick such that whenthe elastic strips 20 are applied thereon, some of the glue flows aroundthe edges of the strips 20. While the strips 20 may be applied manually,it is contemplated that they will be positioned by machine.

Referring now to FIG. 3, with the glue 16 still in an adhesive state,and with the elastic strips 20 still retained under tension in the jig14, a length of insulated wire 22 is applied on top of the elasticstrips 20 in a zigzag pattern. For example, the wire may be no. 30 wirecomprised of three strands of no. 48 and the zigzag pattern may comprisea ninety degree saw tooth pattern. While the wire may be manuallyapplied, it is presently contemplated that it too will be applied bymachine. The wire 22 is adhesively bonded to the fabric 12 by the gluethat has escaped around the edges of the elastic strips 20, but it willbe appreciated that even at this stage of the manufacturing processthere is still substantial glue that is not covered by the elasticstrips 20 or by the wire 22. The length of the wire 22 is selected suchthat when it is applied as shown in FIG. 3, the end portions 24, 26thereof extend downwardly slightly beyond the lower edge of the fabric12 at either end thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 4, with the elastic strips 20 still retained undertension in the jig 14, a piece of tissue paper 28 or other suitablematerial of substantially the same size as the fabric 12 is laid on topof the fabric 12 so as to cover the elastic bands 20 and wire 22. Thetissue paper 28 is secured to the fabric 12 by the remaining exposedglue on the surface 18.

With the elastic strips 20 retained in a stretched condition and withthe fabric 12 and tissue paper 28 in a flat condition on either sidethereof, the entire assembly is pressed together, as between a pair ofrollers, for strengthening the adhesive bond between the fabric 12, theelastic strips 20, the wire 22 and the tissue paper 28. The elasticstrips 20 are then released from the jig whereupon the edges of theelastic strips are trimmed to be coincident with the edges of fabric 12and tissue paper 28.

When the ends of the elastic strips 20 are released from the jig 14, itwill be apparent that the elastic strips return to an unstretchedcondition. Referring to FIG. 5, return of the elastic strips 20 to theirunstretched condition results in puckering or gathering of the fabric 12and tissue paper 28 as well as a contraction of the wire, the latterbeing manifested by a saw tooth of shorter period, i.e. a taller andnarrower zigzag pattern.

Next, a plurality of strips of tape, shown by way of example in FIG. 5as three strips of tape 30, are secured to one vertical edge 32 of theassembly. For example, the adhesive strips 30 may comprise peel andstick tabs of a type commonly found on diapers. As shown, one end ofeach peel and stick tab 30 is adhesively secured at the edge 32, withthe other end of the tab extending beyond the edge. The portion of thetab 30 extending beyond the edge 32 comprises an adhesive surfacecovered by a removable strip of paper or the like. This arrangement isideal for the present invention as the adhesive on the tabs 30 remainscovered for ease of handling until the band 10 is used.

FIG. 7 illustrates the band 10 secured about the torso of a subject 35.While only one band 10 is illustrated in FIG. 7, typically two bandswill be employed, one secured about the chest of the subject 35 and theother secured about the abdomen. As it is important that the wire 22 fitsnugly against the subject 35 for expansion and contraction as thesubject breathes, each band is preselected to be shorter than thecircumference of the torso portions to be encircled. To secure the band10 about the subject 35, the band is placed against the torso of thesubject 35 with the fabric side contacting the subject. The band 10 isstretched by pulling at the ends thereof until the two ends of the bandare in confronting relation. As will be apparent from the foregoingdescription, stretching of the band 10 is accommodated by the elasticstrips 22 and by the puckers in the fabric 12 and tissue paper 28, whichgradually return to a smooth, unpuckered condition as the band isstretched. The wire 22, being adhesively secured to the fabric 12,elastic strips 20 and tissue paper 28, expands in the longitudinaldirection as the band 10 is stretched, expansion of the wire 22 beingmanifested by a wider and flatter sawtooth configuration than thatillustrated in FIG. 5.

With the ends of the band 10 in confronting relation, the paper coveringthe adhesive on the tabs 30 is peeled away, whereupon the tabs areattached to the confronting end of the band, thereby securing the band10 about the torso of the subject 35. It will be appreciated that withthe band 10 thus secured, the band 10 is free to expand and contract asthe subject breathes.

As described above, and as is explained in detail in commonly owned U.S.Pat. No. 4,308,872, the wire 22 in the band 10 comprises the inductancecomponent of an LC oscillator circuit. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, thebalance of the LC oscillator circuit is incorporated in a housing 34secured to the band 10. Because the components in the housing 34 arerelatively expensive, the housing 34 is removably secured to the band 10to accommodate repeated use. For this purpose, a patch 36 of a hook andloop type fastener, such as Velcro™, is secured, as by an adhesive, tothe tissue paper side of the band 10, preferably near the edge 32, and acomplementary patch 38 is secured, also as by an adhesive, to the backwall 40 of the housing 34. The housing may then be removably secured tothe band 10 by contacting patch 38 with patch 36.

To complete the LC oscillator circuit comprising the wire 22 and thecircuitry within the housing 34, the end portions 24, 26 of the wire 22must be connected to the circuitry within the housing. The housing 34 isespecially designed to accomplish this objective without requiring anyspecial pins or connectors on the end portions 24, 26 of the wire 22.The housing 34 will now be described in greater detail with particularreference to FIGS. 8-13.

Housing 34 comprises identical halves 42 disposed in confrontingrelation for defining a chamber 44 within the housing. The two halves 42are secured together as by an adhesive with registry between the halves42 being assured by pins 46 and corresponding holes 48 along theconfronting faces of the halves 42. As each half 42 is identical, onlyone will be described in detail below.

Each half 42 comprises a cap member 50 pivotally secured to a main body52, both of which are preferably comprised of plastic, such aspolyvinylchloride. To effect pivotal securement, the cap 50 has a pairof spaced feet 54 disposed on either side of a cylinder 56 formed at anupper corner of the body 52. A pin 58 extending through alignedapertures in the feet 54 and cylinder 56 secures cap 50 to body 52 forpivotal movement relative thereto.

As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, a V-shaped groove 60 extends acrossthe top of each body 52. The groove 60 receives a complementary shapedprojection 62 depending from the cap 50 when the cap is pivoted closed.A bore 61 in the vertical sidewall of the body 52 nearest the cylinder56 extends through the bottom defining wall of the recess 60 such thatthe bore commuicates with the recess. For reasons that will be explainedbelow, and as shown, a portion of the edge 63 of the projection 62 isserrated.

The free end 64 of each cap 50 has an inwardly extending ridge 66 whichseats in a complementary recess 68 in the sidewall of the body 52, theedge 66 and recess 68 providing a detent for releasably securing the cap50 in the closed position. As shown, the free end 64 of the cap 50 isknurled as at 70 to facilitate pivotal movement of the cap 50.

A boss 72 having a vertically extending recess 74 is provided on theinterior sidewall of each body 52 beneath the cylinder 56. As shown, anelectrical contact 76 seats in the recess 74. The lower end of thecontact 76 has an arm 78 extending into the chamber 44 for reasons thatwill explained below. The upper end of the contact 76 tapers to a sharppoint 80 which extends through an aperture in the bottom defining wallof the recess 60 such that the point 80 extends into the recess.

The balance of the oscillator circuit secured within the housing 34 isdiagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 9, 11 and 12 by a circuit board 82and a coupling transformer 84, the primary leads of the transformer 84being soldered to the circuit board 82. As shown, a three wire cable 86is soldered to the end of the board 82 opposite the transformer 84.Cable 86 may be about six feet in length and terminate in a standardtelephone type connector which, directly or through an extension cable,may be secured to respiration monitoring apparatus of the type describedin said U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,872.

To assemble the housing 34, the circuit board 82 and attachedtransformer 84 are seated inside one half 42 of the housing 34. Properpositioning of the board 82 and transformer 84 is assured by bosses 88and 90 formed on the inside backwall of the body 52. As shown, the cable86 is laid into a cut out 92 formed in the lower end of the body 52.

Adhesive is next applied to the pins 46 on the housing halves 42,whereupon the two halves are brought into contact along upon onevertical edge. With the other edges of the housing halves 42 held inspaced apart relation, the secondary leads 94 on the transformer 84 aresoldered to the arms 78 of the contacts 76 via two short wires 96extending from the leads 94. At this point, the spaced apart edges ofthe housing halves 42 are brought into contact, thereby closing thehousing 34.

The housing 34, with the caps 50 open, is now brought into proximitywith the end portions 24, 26 of the wire 22. One end of the wire isplaced in the bore 61 in one half 42 of the housing 34, and the otherend of the wire is placed in the other bore 61 in the other half 42 ofthe housing 34. Thereafter, the end portions 24, 26 of the wire 22 arelaid in the recesses 60 in their respective housing halves 42. At thispoint, the caps 50 are pivoted to the closed position, whereupon theunserrated portions of the edges 63 of the projections 62 force the wireend portions 24, 26 against the pins 80 with sufficient force that thepins 80 pierce the wire insulation and make contact with the conductorinside. When the caps are fully closed, as confirmed by snapping of theridges 66 in the recesses 68, the wire end portions 24, 26 are retainedfirmly in place in the recesses 60 by the serrated portions of the edges63. It will be appreciated that by thus connecting the secondary leads94 of the transformer 84 to the end portions 24, 26 of the wire 22 viathe contacts 76, the LC oscillator circuit is completed and is availablefor connection to appropriate processing circuitry via the cable 86. Atthis point, the housing 34 may be secured to the band 10 by pressing thepatch 38 on the backwall 40 of the housing 34 against the complementarypatch 36 on the band 10.

When use of the band is completed, the caps 50 are pivoted to their openpositions, whereupon the wire end portions 24, 26 may be removed fromthe housing 34. At this point or before, the housing 34 may be separatedfrom the band 10 by pulling the patch 38 away from the patch 36. Theband 10, owing to its inexpensive structure, may then be discarded. Thehousing 34 containing the balance of the oscillator circuit may beretained for repeated use. As described above, typically two bands 10are used with each subject, with one housing 34 being secured to eachband.

In a modified band construction in accordance with the invention, eitherthe fabric 12 or tissue paper 28, preferably tissue paper 28, isdispensed with. When this embodiment is employed, it will be apparentthat the adhesive must cure before the band is available for use.Accordingly, to insure curing of the adhesive, an adhesive having acontrollable cure time, such as a thermosetting adhesive, is preferredfor this embodiment. While this embodiment is less preferred as itleaves the conductor exposed on one side, it does have the advantage ofreduced cost as it eliminates one of the two pieces of material.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat still further changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, theabove description should be construed as illustrative, and not in alimiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined by thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A band securable about an expandable three dimensionalobject comprising:a first piece of inextensible material defining twosurfaces; elastic material; means for adhesively securing said elasticmaterial to said first piece of material along a substantial portion ofthe length thereof with said elastic material in a stretched conditionwhen said first piece of material is in a flat condition, said firstpiece of material defining crosswise puckers when said elastic materialis in an unstretched condition for accommodating stretching of said bandwhen said elastic material is stretched; a conductor; and means foradhesively securing said conductor to said first piece of material, withsaid conductor extending substantially the length of the band andenclosing a larger circumference upon stretching of said band.
 2. Theband according to claim 1, further comprising a second piece of materialdefining two surfaces and means for securing one surface of said secondpiece of material to one surface of said first piece of material;wherein said elastic material is adhesively secured between said firstand second pieces of material along a substantial portion of the lengthsthereof, wherein said elastic material is in a stretched condition whenboth said pieces of material are in a flat condition, wherein bothpieces of material define crosswise puckers when said elastic materialis in an unstretched condition, and wherein said conductor is securedbetween said first and second pieces of material.
 3. The band accordingto claim 2, wherein said means for adhesively securing said elasticmaterial between said first and second pieces of material comprises aline of adhesive extending along a substantial portion of the length ofsaid one surface of said first piece of material.
 4. The band accordingto claim 3, wherein said elastic material comprises a plurality ofstrips of elastic material, and wherein said means for adhesivelysecuring said elastic material between said first and second pieces ofmaterial further comprises, for each strip of elastic material, one lineof adhesive extending along a substantial portion of the length of saidone surface of said first piece of material.
 5. The band according toclaim 4, wherein said conductor is secured between said first and secondpieces of material in a zig zag pattern.
 6. The band according to claim5, wherein said lines of adhesive and said strips of elastic materialare disposed between said conductor and said first piece of material,and wherein said means for adhesively securing said conductor betweensaid first and second pieces of material comprises a portion of saidlines of adhesive not covered by said elastic strips.
 7. The bandaccording to claim 6, wherein said means for adhesively securing saidone surface of said second piece of material to said one surface of saidfirst piece of material comprises a portion of said lines of adhesivenot covered by said elastic strips or said conductor.
 8. The bandaccording to claim 7, wherein said conductor traverses more than one ofsaid plurality of elastic strips.
 9. The band according to claim 8,wherein said crosswise puckers accommodate stretching of said band toabout 2 to about 3 times its unstretched length, said conductor assuminga wider and flatter zig zag pattern upon stretching of said band. 10.The band according to claim 8, wherein said conductor is insulated andwherein the ends of said conductor terminate beyond the samelongitudinal edge of said band at either end thereof.
 11. The bandaccording to claim 8, further comprising means for securing the ends ofsaid band together when said band is secured about said object.
 12. Theband according to claim 11, wherein said means for securing said ends ofsaid band together comprises a plurality of strips of tape adhesivelyapplied to one end of said band, said strips of tape including a portionextending beyond said one end of said band for adhesive securement tothe other end of said band for securing said ends of said band together.13. The band according to claim 8, wherein said band is dimensioned forsecurement about a human torso.
 14. The band according to claim 8,wherein said first and second pieces of material comprise non-wovenmaterial and tissue paper, respectively.
 15. The band according to claim8, further comprising a housing defining a chamber; means secured tosaid housing for supporting circuitry within said chamber; and means forreleasably securing said circuitry to the end portions of saidconductor.
 16. The band according to claim 15, wherein said housingcomprises a main body defining a chamber and first and second capmembers each pivotally secured to said main body for movement between anopen position wherein said cap members are pivoted away from said mainbody and a closed position wherein said cap members contact said mainbody, the portion of said main body confronting said cap members intheir closed positions defining first and second recesses and first andsecond apertures for communicating said recesses with said chambers; andwherein said means for releasably securing said circuitry to the endportions of said conductor comprises first and second electricalcontacts disposed in said chamber and connected to said circuitry, oneend of each contact having a point extending through one of saidapertures and into the recess communicating therewith, whereby when theend portions of said conductor are disposed in said recesses and saidcap members are pivoted to their closed positions, said points piercesaid end portions of said conductor for establishing releasableelectrical communication between said conductor and said circuitry. 17.The band according to claim 3, wherein said conductor is secured betweensaid first and second pieces of material in a zig zag pattern.
 18. Theband according to claim 17, wherein said line of adhesive and saidelastic material are disposed between said conductor and said firstpiece of material and wherein said means for adhesively securing saidconductor between said first and second pieces of material comprises aportion of said line of adhesive not covered by said elastic material.19. The band according to claim 18, wherein said means for adhesivelysecuring said one surface of said second piece of material to said onesurface of said first piece of material comprises a portion of said lineof adhesive not covered by said elastic material or by said conductor.20. The band according to claim 17, wherein said crosswise puckersaccommodate stretching of said band to about 2 to about 3 times itsunstretched length, said conductor assuming a wider and flatter zig zagpattern upon stretching of said band.
 21. The band according to claim 3,wherein said conductor is insulated and wherein the ends of saidconductor terminate beyond the same longitudinal edge of said band ateither end thereof.
 22. The band according to claim 2, furthercomprising means for securing the ends of said band together when saidband is secured about said object.
 23. The band according to claim 22,wherein said means for securing said ends of said band togethercomprises a plurality of strips of tape adhesively applied to said bandat one end thereof, said strips of tape including a portion extendingbeyond said one end of said band for adhesive securement to the otherend of said band for securing said ends of said band together.
 24. Theband according to claim 2, wherein said band is dimensioned forsecurement about a human torso.
 25. The band according to claim 2,wherein said first and second pieces of material comprise non-wovenmaterial and tissue paper, respectively.
 26. The band according to claim2, further comprising a housing defining a chamber; means secured tosaid housing for supporting circuitry within said chamber; and means forreleasably securing said circuitry to the end portions of saidconductor.
 27. The band according to claim 26, wherein said housingcomprises a main body defining a chamber and first and second capmembers each pivotally secured to said main body for movement between anopen position wherein said cap members are pivoted away from said mainbody and a closed position wherein said cap members contact said mainbody, the portion of said main body confronting said cap members intheir closed positions defining first and second recesses and first andsecond apertures for communicating said recesses with said chamber; andwherein said means for releasably securing said circuitry to the endportions of said conductor comprises first and second electricalcontacts disposed in said chamber and connected to said circuitry, oneend of each contact having a point extending through one of saidapertures and into the recess communicating therewith, whereby when theend portions of said conductor are disposed in said recesses and saidcap members are pivoted to their closed positions, said points piercesaid end portions of said conductor for establishing releasableelectrical communication between said conductor and said circuitry. 28.The band according to claim 1, wherein said means for adhesivelysecuring said elastic material to said first piece of material comprisesa line of adhesive extending along a substantial length of said onesurface of said first piece of material.
 29. The band according to claim28, wherein said elastic material comprises a plurality of strips ofelastic material, and wherein said means for adhesively securing saidelastic strips to said first piece of material comprises, for each stripof material, one line of adhesive extending along a substantial portionof the length of said one surface of said first piece of material. 30.The band according to claim 29, wherein said conductor is secured tosaid first piece of material in a zig zag pattern.
 31. The bandaccording to claim 30, wherein said lines of adhesive and said strips ofelastic material are disposed between said conductor and said firstpiece of material, and wherein said means for adhesively securing saidconductor to said first piece of material comprises a portion of saidlines of adhesive not covered by said elastic strips.
 32. The bandaccording to claim 31, wherein said conductor traverses more than one ofsaid plurality of elastic strips.
 33. The band according to claim 32,further comprising a housing defining a chamber; means secured to saidhousing for supporting circuitry within said chamber; and means forreleasably securing said circuitry to the end portions of saidconductor.
 34. The band according to claim 33, wherein said housingcomprises a main body defining a chamber and first and second capmembers each pivotally secured to said main body for movement between anopen position wherein said cap members are pivoted away from said mainbody and a closed position wherein said cap members contact said mainbody, the portion of said main body confronting said cap members intheir closed positions defining first and second recesses and first andsecond apertures for communicating said recesses with said chamber; andwherein said means for releasably securing said circuitry to the endportions of said conductor comprises first and second electricalcontacts disposed in said chamber and connected to said circuitry, oneend of each contact having a point extending through one of saidapertures and into the communicating therewith, whereby when the endportions of said conductor are disposed in said recesses and said capmembers are pivoted to their closed positions, said points pierce saidend portions of said conductor for establishing releasable electricalcommunication between said conductor and said circuitry.
 35. The bandaccording to claim 28, wherein said conductor is secured to said firstpiece of material in a zig zag pattern.
 36. The band according to claim35, wherein said line of adhesive and said elastic material are disposedbetween said conductor and said first piece of material, and whereinsaid means for adhesively securing said conductor to said first piece ofmaterial comprises a portion of said line of adhesive not covered bysaid elastic material.
 37. The band according to claim 1, furthercomprising a housing defining a chamber; means secured to said housingfor supporting circuitry within said chamber; and means for releasablysecuring said circuitry to the end portions of said conductor.
 38. Theband according to claim 37, wherein said housing comprises a main bodydefining a chamber and first and second cap members each pivotallysecured to said main body for movement between an open position whereinsaid cap members are pivoted away from said main body and a closedposition wherein said cap members contact said main body, the portion ofsaid main body confronting said cap members in their closed positionsdefining first and second recesses and first and second apertures forcommunicating said recesses with said chamber; and wherein said meansfor releasably securing said circuitry to the end portions of saidconductor comprises first and second electrical contacts disposed insaid chamber and connected to said circuitry, one end of each contacthaving a point extending through one of said apertures and into therecess communicating therewith, whereby when the end portions of saidconductor are disposed in said recesses and said cap members are pivotedto their closed positions, said points pierce said end portions of saidconductor for establishing releasable electrical communication betweensaid conductor and said circuitry.
 39. An enclosure for use with acircuit suitable for detecting movement of an object, said circuit beingof the type including a conductor having first and second end portions,the conductor being disposed in contact with said object for sensingmovement thereof, said enclosure comprising:a housing comprising a mainbody defining a chamber and first and second cap members pivotallysecured to said main body for movement between an open position whereinsaid cap members are pivoted away from said main body and a closedposition wherein said cap members contact said main body, the portion ofsaid main body confronting said cap members in their closed positionsdefining first and second recesses and first and second aperturescommunicating said recesses with said chamber; means secured to saidhousing for supporting in said chamber the components of said circuitother than said conductor; and first and second electrical contactssecured to said housing in said chamber and connected to said componentsof said circuit other than said conductor, one end of each contacthaving a point extending through one of said apertures and into therecess communicating therewith, whereby when the end portions of saidconductor are disposed in said recesses and said cap members are pivotedto their closed positions for retaining said end portions in saidrecesses, said points pierce said end points of said conductor forestablishing electrical communication between said conductor and theother components of said circuit.
 40. The enclosure according to claim39, wherein said housing comprises two identical halves, each half ofsaid housing comprising one-half of said main body, one of said capmembers and one of said electrical contacts, with one of said recessesand one of said apertures being defined in each half of said main body;and further comprising means for securing said two halves of saidhousing together.
 41. The enclosure according to claim 40, wherein saidmeans for securing said two halves of said housing together comprises anadhesive, and further comprising pins and complementary recesses on theconfronting edges of said housing halves for insuring registrytherebetween.
 42. The enclosure according to claim 40, wherein said capmembers each further comprise a depending member seating in therespective recess confronted by the cap member in its closed position,said depending members contacting the end portions of the conductor whenseated in the said recesses for further securing said end portions inplace.
 43. The enclosure according to claim 42, wherein the edge of eachdepending member is serrated except along the portion thereofconfronting the point of the respective electrical contact.
 44. Theenclosure according to claim 40, wherein said enclosure is comprised ofplastic.
 45. The enclosure according to claim 39, wherein said portionof said main body further defines first and second bores communicatingwith said first and second recesses, respectively, said bores beingdimensioned to receive the ends of said conductor when said end portionsof said conductor are disposed in said recesses for further securingsaid end portions in place when said cap members are pivoted to theirclosed positions.
 46. The enclosure according to claim 39, wherein saidcap members each further comprise a depending member seating in therespective recess confronted by the cap member in its closed position,said depending members contacting the end portions of the conductor whenseated in said recesses for further securing said end portions in place.47. The enclosure according to claim 46, wherein the edge of eachdepending member is serrated except along the portion thereofconfronting the point of the respective electrical contact.
 48. Theenclosure according to claim 39, further comprising means for releasablysecuring said cap members in their closed positions.
 49. The enclosureaccording to claim 48, wherein said means for releasably securing saidcap members in their closed positions comprises detents defined by thefree ends of said cap members and the part of said main body contactedby said cap members in their closed positions.
 50. The enclosureaccording to claim 39, wherein the components of said circuit other thansaid conductor are disposed on a circuit board, and wherein said meansfor supporting said other components in said chamber comprises postssecured to said main body and extending into said chamber for supportingsaid circuit board.
 51. The enclosure according to claim 50, whereinsaid posts are integrally formed with said main body.
 52. The enclosureaccording to claim 39, further comprising said main body defining anopening communicating with said chamber for receiving a cable connectedto the components of said circuit in said chamber.
 53. The enclosureaccording to claim 39, wherein said object is a human torso and saidconductor is secured in encircling relation thereabout.
 54. A method formaking a band incorporating an electrical conductor disposable about athree dimensional object for expansion and contraction therewith, saidmethod comprising:providing a first piece of inextensible material in aflat condition; stretching a piece of non-woven elastic material;securing said piece of elastic material in its stretched condition to asurface of said piece of material; securing an electrical conductor to asurface of said piece of material; and releasing said elastic materialfrom said stretched condition.
 55. The method according to claim 54,further comprising providing a second piece of material in a flatcondition, and securing said second piece of material in overlyingrelation with said first piece of material with said stretched elasticmaterial and said conductor sandwiched between said two pieces ofmaterial.
 56. The method according to claim 55, wherein said step ofsecuring said elastic material in its stretched condition to said onesurface comprises first applying an adhesive to said one surface of saidfirst piece of material and then contacting said elastic material in itsstretched condition with said adhesive.
 57. The method according toclaim 56, wherein said step of applying said adhesive to said onesurface comprises applying sufficient adhesive for some of said adhesiveto remain exposed after said elastic material is disposed on saidadhesive; and wherein said conductor securing step comprises disposingsaid conductor in a zig zag pattern on said one surface of said firstpiece of material with said conductor contacting said exposed adhesive.58. The method according to claim 57, wherein said step of securing saidsecond piece of material to said first piece of material comprisescontacting said second piece of material with said exposed adhesive onsaid first piece of material.
 59. The method according to claim 56,wherein said steps of stretching and securing said elastic material tosaid one surface of said first piece of material comprises stretchingand securing a plurality of strips of elastic material to said onesurface of said first piece of material.
 60. The method according toclaim 59, wherein said step of applying said adhesive comprises applyinga plurality of lines of adhesive along substantially the entire lengthof said one surface of said first piece of material with the number oflines of adhesive equaling the number of elastic strips; wherein saidstep of securing said plurality of elastic strips to said first piece ofmaterial comprises stretching said elastic strips sufficiently to extendalong substantially the entire length of said one surface and thendisposing one elastic strip on each line of adhesive; and wherein saidstep of disposing said conductor on said one surface of said first pieceof material in a zig zag pattern comprises said conductor traversingmore than one of said elastic strips.
 61. The method according to claim60, further comprising the step of pressing said first and second piecesof material together before releasing said strip of elastic materialfrom its stretched condition.
 62. The method according to claim 59,wherein said step of stretching said plurality of strips of elasticmaterial comprises stretching all of said strips to the same extent andto about 2 to about 3 times their unstretched length.
 63. The methodaccording to claim 56, wherein said step of applying said adhesivecomprises applying said adhesive along substantially the entire lengthof said one surface of said first piece of material and wherein saidstep of securing said elastic material to said one surface comprisesstretching said elastic material sufficiently to extend alongsubstantially the entire length of said one surface.
 64. The methodaccording to claim 56, further comprising the step of pressing saidfirst and second pieces of material together before releasing saidelastic material from its stretched condition.
 65. The method accordingto claim 56, wherein said step of stretching said elastic materialcomprises stretching said elastic material to about 2 to about 3 timesits unstretched length.
 66. The method according to claim 56, whereinsaid steps of providing said first and second pieces of materialcomprises providing a piece of non-woven fabric and a piece of tissuepaper, respectively.
 67. The method according to claim 55, wherein saidstep of securing said electrical conductor to said one surface of one ofsaid pieces of material comprises securing said conductor to said onesurface in a zig zag pattern.
 68. The method according to claim 54,wherein said step of securing said elastic material in its stretchedcondition to said surface comprises first applying an adhesive to saidsurface of said first piece of material and then contacting said elasticmaterial in its stretched condition with said adhesive.
 69. The methodaccording to claim 68, wherein said step of applying said adhesive tosaid one surface comprises applying sufficient adhesive for some of saidadhesive to remain exposed after said elastic material is disposed onsaid adhesive; and wherein said conductor securing step comprisesdisposing said conductor in a zig zag pattern on said one surface ofsaid first piece of material with said conductor contacting said exposedadhesive.
 70. The method according to claim 69, wherein said steps ofstretching and securing said elastic material to said one surface ofsaid first piece of material comprises stretching and securing aplurality of strips of elastic material to said one surface of saidfirst piece of material.
 71. The method according to claim 70, whereinsaid step of applying said adhesive comprises applying a plurality oflines of adhesive along substantially the entire length of said onesurface of said first piece of material with the number of lines ofadhesive equaling the number of elastic strips; wherein said step ofsecuring said plurality of elastic strips to said first piece ofmaterial comprises stretching said elastic strips sufficiently to extendalong substantially the entire length of said one surface and thendisposing one elastic strip on each line of adhesive; and wherein saidstep of disposing said conductor on said one surface of said first pieceof material in a zig zag pattern comprises said conductor traversingmore than one of said elastic strips.